Political Pressure Mounts on Speaker Bagbin After Bill Passage

The Director of Communications for the Movement for Change, Mr Solomon Owusu, is demanding the removal of Speaker of Parliament Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. Mr Owusu stated this on Thursday, June 4. The Speaker's recent move to seek reconsideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, has caused this controversy. Parliament passed this bill on May 29. Mr Owusu believes the Speaker's actions have created uncertainty. This uncertainty surrounds legislation that had already completed its necessary parliamentary steps. He spoke on the AM Show on JoyNews. Mr Owusu accused the Speaker of undermining Parliament's authority. He feels the Speaker has also embarrassed lawmakers and parliamentary leadership. These individuals participated in the bill's passage. The Speaker's decision follows his concerns about the legislative process. These concerns arose during his absence from the House. Mr Owusu stressed that Parliament was properly constituted. The First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, presided over the proceedings. Mr Ahiafor exercised the same constitutional powers as the substantive Speaker. Mr Owusu stated that nobody should think Parliament lacked a Speaker. He said the presiding officer had full authority. Mr Owusu maintained that parliamentary rules were followed. He believes if the Speaker had reservations, these should have been discussed internally. He questioned why these concerns were not addressed in private meetings. "What prevented him from calling the leadership of Parliament and discussing it in camera?" Mr Owusu asked. He added that creating public doubt about a passed bill was inappropriate. The controversial bill underwent thorough review. It was examined by Parliament's Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Both majority and minority members were represented on this committee. Mr Owusu argued that any substantial issues should have been raised during committee discussions. They could also have been addressed during floor debates. The bill's purpose is to ban LGBTQ+ activities and promotion in Ghana. The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has been one of Ghana's most debated pieces of legislation. It received strong support from religious and traditional groups. However, human rights advocates and parts of the international community raised objections. Mr Owusu highlighted Speaker Bagbin's past support. He cited the Speaker's public statements encouraging the bill's passage. He mentioned engagements with religious leaders. "Speaker Bagbin met the clergy and told the entire world that he would make sure the LGBTQ bill was passed as soon as possible," Mr Owusu claimed. He believes the Speaker's current stance contradicts his earlier encouragement for swift passage. Mr Owusu suggested that Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, should have received the bill. He stated that many Ghanaians view the bill as aligned with cultural, religious, and moral values. "From a cultural perspective, from a moral perspective and from a religious perspective, about 99 per cent of the people of this country believe that this law must be there," he stated. He acknowledged differing opinions on specific parts of the bill. However, he argued that Parliament's decision reflects significant public sentiment. The controversy has intensified discussions about parliamentary procedures. It also highlights the Speaker's role in the law-making process. The bill's passage on May 29 has led to questions about procedure. This has renewed debate on its future validity and presentation to the President.